Editor's Choice

A naked play for your money

This is the first and last time Ill ever mention nearly-nudie calendars and Baldwin-Wallace College business professor Peter Rea in the same sentence.
Im only doing it because the Associated Press quotes Mr. Rea in a story about how nonprofits increasingly have fundraising success by selling calendars featuring racy images. For instance, the AP notes that a Humane Society chapter near Milwaukee expects to raise $30,000 this year with discreet, nude photos of Humane Society supporters and their pets. (Its the people who are nearly naked; the pets come with a full coat of fur.)
"For nonprofits, it's getting tough to raise money," said Lisa Patefield, executive director of the Milwaukee-area group. "In order to be competitive in fundraising, you have to come up with something new, something exciting."
Mr. Rea, described in the story as a philanthropy expert, suggests calendars are only a short-term solution for charities looking to maintain long-term viability, according to the AP.
"From a fundraising point of view, it's probably more appropriate to look for people who care about the (charity's) mission  people who can help financially or with time, with talent," he said.
Mr. Rea also notes that given how some people are offended or embarrassed by such products, charities might be better off selling products their customers would actually want and use.